Material compacting equipment

ABSTRACT

A motor driven rotary compactor table carries a circumferential series of material-receiving pockets, each bottomed by an ejector cam-operated during the table rotation to eject a shaped and compacted product from its pocket. A compactor plate of the same diameter is journaled above the table on an axis at an acute angle to the table axis, and theoretically intersecting the latter at the table surface. The plate carries an annual series of compactor plungers equal in number and circumferential spacing to the table pockets; and the inclination and vertical relationship of table and plate to one another are such that the plungers enter into the respective table pockets at the apex of an acute angle theoretically defined by planes of the convergent, mutually facing plate and table surfaces. Thus, in compacting material in the pockets, the plungers also effect a cog and wheellike drive of the compactor plate.

Garnett 1 Mar. 7,1972

[54] MATERIAL COMPACTING EQUIPMENT [72] Inventor: Donald W. Garnett,Grand Ledge, Mich.

[73] Assignee: The Olofsson Corporation, Lansing, Mich.

Mahogany Farms, Inc., Williamston, Mich.

[22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 875,267

Primary Examiner-H. A. Kilby, .I r. Attorney-Whittemore, Hulbert andBelknap [5 7] ABSTRACT A motor driven rotary compactor table carries acircumferential series of material-receiving pockets, each bottomed byan ejector cam-operated during the table rotation to eject a shaped andcompacted product from its pocket. A compactor plate of the samediameter is journaled above the table on an axis at an acute angle tothe table axis, and theoretically intersecting the latter at the tablesurface. The plate carries an annual series of compactor plungers equalin number and circumferential spacing to the table pockets; and theinclination and vertical relationship of table and plate to one anotherare such that the plungers enter into the respective table pockets atthe apex of an acute angle theoretically defined by planes of theconvergent, mutually facing plate and table surfaces. Thus, incompacting material in the pockets, the plungers also effect a cog andwheellike drive of the compactor plate.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR' 1 I 12 3, e47, 343

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR 00/!6410 IV. GA/P/VZTT ATTOR NEYS PATENTEWR 7 19723, 647. 343

sum 2 OF 4 NVENTO MATERIAL COMPACTING EQUIPMENT CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATIONS My copending application, Ser. No. 847,297, filedAug. 4, 1969, illustrates and describes a method and apparatus forblending and portioning meat products, which products are fed to thepresent equipment for final compacting into desired sizes and shapes,with their weight, as determined volumetrically by the earlierequipment, augmented if necessary, by small makeup portions. However,the nature of the method and equipment of my copending application andthe method and equipment herein'disclosed have no other structural andfunctional relationship to one another than in the above respect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD As appears from the above, the methodand apparatus of the present invention were evolved for the purpose ofshaping and compacting volumetrically weighed charges of meat, sometimesas augmented in weight, but more especially to simulate recognizedshapes of meat product, such as a steak, filet, or the like. As thusreshaped, a less-than-highest-quality meat product, will find sale at ameat counter at a price very much lower than the price of a conventionalmeat cut of a better grade, but comparable to the latter, as toappearance, taste, texture, etc.

However, the method and apparatus as herein disclosed are of far widerutility and applicability than the limited usage just mentioned. Thatis, the equipment is well adapted to compact, shape and/or size manytypes of material, edible and otherwise. An instance that suggestsitself is in the compression and simultaneous shaping of sinteredmetals, such as the spongelike oil-impregnated bronze material widelymarketed under the designation Oilite. The sizing and shaping of blocksof cinder and other objects constituted by particulate material offersanother possibility; pills are a further one, and still others willoccur to those having particular requirements in mind in reference to aparticle-constituted, shaped and solidly compacted product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention affords an extremely simple butvery rugged and heavy-duty type of apparatus for the purposes and methodreferred to above. The only direct-driven component is a verticallyjoumaled, motor-reducer driven compacting table, plural moldlikecompacting pockets of which individually receive product ejectingplungers. These parts are cam-reciprocated up, as an incident to therotation of the table, to discharge the shaped products from pockets.

The table and its pockets in turn serve as a source of power, in themanner of a cogwheel, to rotate a unitary type of circular compactorplate, which is very simply, ruggedly and inexpensively joumaled forrotation at a circumferential and lineal speed equaling that of thecompactor table. That is, there is no need for any additional powertransmitting means than the engagement of compactor members on the platein the compactor mold cavities or pockets of the table, in the manner ofcogs engaging and driven by a cogwheel.

To this end, mutually facing surfaces of the plate and table, bothcircular and equal in diameter, respectively rotate about vertical andacutely angled upright axes which theoretically intersect at the centerof the table, the compacting plunger members of the plate entering intothe compacting dielike or mold pockets of the table during apredetermined arcuate segment to the plate and table rotative travel.Fullest entry takes place at a point in a radial plane including theaxes of the plate and table, which point represents the theoretical apexof convergence of the horizontal and inclined planes of the facing tableand plate surfaces, respectively.

The equipment of the invention is also characterized by the extreme easeand simplicity of supervision thereof and attendance thereon. As thecompacted and shaped products are discharged upwardly from therespective mold pockets by vertically acting ejectors mated in andbottoming the latter, the products are plow-swept off the surface of thepocket-carrying table, and may be disposed of further, as for packaging,by conveyor and other means, not herein shown. The only attendantnecessary is an individual to place the previously volumetricallyweighed charges, which in the case of meat charges are frozen so-calledchubs (augmented as to weight or not), into the pockets. This can bedone safely and efficiently by reason of the relatively slow speed ofrotation of the pocket carrying table, the fact that the feeding of thecharges to the pockets is at a radial zone of maximum spacing of thetable and plate relative to one another, and the fact that the apparatusin addition has safety limit switch means at this zone to prevent anypossibility of injury to the attendant arising from carelessness.

In the preparation of meat products the latter resemble high pricedsteaks and/or fillets, have comparable taste qualities, and maintainthese qualities sealed therein as the result of pressure compacting andshaping the material, with no incidental loss of liquid content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view generallydepicting the apparatus of the invention, including a verticallyjoumaled pocket-carrying table, the latters motor drive unit, aninclined-axis rotary compactor plate, a product sweep-off plow and acontrol switch unit;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view showing base and rotary compactor tablestructure of the equipment, being partially broken away and inhorizontal section along line 22 of FIG. 3, as well as partially brokenlocally to show a portion of a worm and worm gear table drivearrangement;

FIG. 3 is a view, partially broken away, in radial and vertical sectionalong the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, certain ejector controlling cam provisionsbeing indicated in a dotted line position other than the position atwhich they are actually located (as properly and accurately depicted inFIG. 2), certain wormtype drive means being also shown;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged scale view in vertical section alongbroken line 44 of FIG. 2, indicating in solid and dotted line theactionof a product ejector in discharg'ng a shaped and compacted object fromacompactor pocket; and

FIG. 5 is a schematically shown diagram of the electrical equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 3,the apparatus of the invention, generally designated by the referencenumeral 10, comprises a rugged, cabinetlike base 11 enclosing a massiveheavy-duty speed reducer 12 powered by a 2 hp. electrical motor 13,which is disposed externally of but suitably supported on base 10. Anoutput double pulley or sheave 14 on the shaft of motor 13 drives beltsl5 trained about an adjustable idler l6 and a double sheave 17 securedto the input shaft 18 of reducer 12. These sheave means areappropriately journaled on base 11 by means not shown.

Reducer 12 includes a double worm and gear arrangement, including a worml9 fixed on shaft 18 and meshing with a worm gear 20 on shaft 21, whichshaft is suitably joumaled on the base at to shaft 18. Shaft 21 carriesa worm 22 mating with a worm gear or wheel 23 of large diameter. Thelast named worm wheel is fixed to an upright drive shaft or spindle 24of the machine 10; and a top extension end 25 of shaft 24 drives therotary horizontal compactor table 26 of the apparatus l0. Appropriateheavy-duty bearing means (not shown) are provided to journal the driveshaft 24 on its vertical axis; and the motor speed reducer 12 transmitspower through the double worm and gear arrangement to rotate the table26 at a speed of, for example, 8 rpm. The bearing means for joumalingthe shaft 24 are contained at least in part within a frustoconicalhousing member 28 projecting upwardly through an opening in a basesuperstructure platform 29; and the shaft drive extremity or extension25 is at a sufficient elevation above this platform to accommodate theaction of certain ejector provisions of table 26, to be described.

The compactor table 26 is circular in outline and, as best shown in FIG.3, is characterized by a horizontally flat, circular center surface 30of substantial area disposed concentric of the axis of drive shaft 24,the surface 30 being rimmed by the inclined circular land 31. The bottomarea of table 26 is centrally recessed at 32 to receive a flanged,sleevelike adapter 33, which is upwardly bolted to the table. Adapter 33concentrically carries a nested, downwardly extending hub bushing 34 towhich the shaft extension 25 is keyed at 35.

As appears in FIG. 2, the inclined annular land surface 31 of compactortable 26 is recessed to provide a number of circumferentially spaced,charge shaping and compacting mold cavities or pockets, shown as beingten in number, the centers of which are equally spaced from one anotherat 36 angles. Of these pockets or cavities, half thereof, as speciallydesignated 36, are in an outline generally simulating a steak or othertype of meat cut; while the remaining five pockets, as speciallydesignated 37, resemble the shape of a meat filet or other out. Thepockets 36, 37 alternate with one another about the periphery of theland 31, and are of substantial depth in the material of table 26. Eachthereof is shaped at its radially inner wall surface to afford aclearance relief portion at 38, thus to accommodate the entry of thepunchlike compactor forming members of the apparatus, to be described,into the dielike pockets 36 and 37.

The bottom surface 40 of rotary compactor table 26 has a circumferentialseries of depending post elements 41 fixedly secured thereto, as bywelding, each in a vertical radial plane through a pocket center; andeach such post carries a small horizontal guide bracket 42. Each of theshaping pockets 36, 37 is centrally apertured through the bottom thereofat 43; and each pocket is in effect bottomed by the flat, enlarged head44 of an ejector plunger 45. These plungers are shaped in conformitywith the outlines of the respective several mold pockets 36, 37, and arereceived in the latter with a relatively free sliding fit. An elongatedcylindrical stem 46 of each plunger 45 extends through the pocket bottomopening 43, being slidably guided in a guide opening of the guidebracket 42 for action in a back-and-forth manner at 90 to table land 31.

In order to enable the volumetric capacities of the compacting andshaping pockets 36, 37 to be varied from time to time as desired, areplaceable spacer, washer-or shim 47 is placed in the pocket beneaththe ejector head 44, which rests on the spacer in a fully retractedposition (FIG. 3), a removal and substitution of spacers makingpossibility the desired pocket volume adjustability.

Each of the plunger stems 46 carries, beneath table 26, a radiallyinwardly extending cam follower dowel 48, which dowel is respectivelyengaged from beneath and from above by one of two segmental, verticallyspaced cams 49, 50. These are curved bars having the outline, in plan,of segments of a circle of approximately 75 arcuate extent, as shown inFIG. 2, overlapping one another a bit in the circumferential sense atadjacent ends thereof. Cams 49, 50 are fixedly secured against the outersurface of an upright segmental mounting plate 52, which is fixedlysustained appropriately at its bottom, as by blocks 53 bolted to the topsurface of base platform 29 (FIG. 4). The mounting plate is welded tothe tops of the blocks, and the cams 49, 50 are fixedly secured in turnto the outer side of the mount 52, as by a series of bolts 54.

As indicated above, FIG. 3 is distorted somewhat in its dotted lineshowing of the mount 52, positionwise, the true relationship of thelatter and the cams 49, 50 appearing in the plan view of FIG. 2, and assectioned at 4-4 for FIG. 4. The

cam 49 acts beneath the dowels 48 to elevate the ejectors 45. The latterwill normally descend by their own weight after circumferentiallyleaving the cam 49; however, the cam 50 insures their full descent inthe event of any frictional tendency to stick. It may also be desirableto provide an additional stop segment on the mounting plate 52 ontowhich the ejector stems 46 may come to rest without unduly impacting thespacer shims 47 to their damage.

The ejector heads 44 are shaped to have a relatively close butsubstantially friction-free fit, as to shape, in the respectivecompactor pockets 36, 37; and it is evident that in the rotation of thecompactor table 26 the earns 49, 50 will successively act on thefollower dowels 48 on ejector plunger stems 46 to elevate the ejectors45 from a retracted, solid line position, as appears at the right ofFIG. 3, to an operative, elevated ejecting position appearing in dottedline, then a gradual downward return for another rotative cycle. Theangular sequencing of this action will be hereinafter described byreference to FIG. 2.

The base structure 29 has welded or otherwise appropriately securedrigidly thereto a rugged upright tubular column 55, which column extendsvertically a substantial height; and a column extension 56 is welded tothe top of column 55 along a mildly angled joint at 57. The angularityof members 56 and 57 is an upwardly and radially inward obtuse one, anda vertical plane through their centers includes the axes of compactortable 26 and a compactor plate, presently described.

An arcuate adapter or saddle plate 58 is welded at 90 to the outer endof column extension 56, this adapter seating a rugged tubular bearinghousing 59, which is rigidly secured to the adapter by bolts 60.

A compactor plate shaft 62 is rotatively joumaled coaxially withinhousing 59, as by upper and lower bearings 63, 64, beingaxiallysustained from above by a retainer nut 65 on the shaft. Thelatter carries a bottom adapter block 66 which is secured by bolts 67 ina central recess of the rotary compactor plate of the apparatus 10, theplate being generally designated 68. Like the rotary compactor table 26,the plate 68 has a central flat, circular surface 69 of substantial areaperipherally bounded by a leveled land 70; and the land carries anannular, circumferentially spaced series of solid punchlike compactorelements or plungers. These depend at 90 to the land 70,.and are shapedto correspond with and nestingly fit into the respective shaping andcompacting pockets 36, 37 on table land 31. Thus, compactor memberswhich fit into the steakshaped pockets 36 are designated 72, while thosefitting into the filet-shaped pockets 37 are designated 73.

As an essential feature of the invention, the angularity of thecompactor plate shaft 62, as joumaled at the end of the obtuse columnextension 56, is such that (a) the axes of shaft 62 and table driveshaft 24 lie in a vertical plane diametral of both the plate 68 and thetable 26; (b) the axes theoretically intersect at the midpoint of thetop flat surface 30 of table 26; and (c) the vertical positioning of thetable 26 and plate 68 relative to one another, and the angularity of theconvergent planes of surfaces 30 and 69, are such that the peripheralland 70 of table 68 and the peripheral land 31 of table 30 come veryclosely adjacent one another just radially inwardly of the column 55,and are parallel.

A sweep-off plow of arcuate contour extends parallel to and slightlyabove the article compactor plate 26, being sup ported and positionedbyan upright post 76 on platform 29 60 just forwardly in the directionof table rotation (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2) of a point at which ashaped and compacted product P is upwardly discharged from one or theother set, of five each, of the molding pockets 36, 37 of the compactorcable 26. As thus discharged radially from the surface of the cable, theproduct P may be transferred, as by a conveyor, not shown, for instance,to suitable packaging equipment.

An electrical control switch unit, generally designated by the referencenumeral 78, is also fixably mounted atop the machine base platform 29,this unit including a small box 79 within which a switch assembly,generally designated 80, (FIGS. 2 and 5) is disposed. An angularlydisplaceable limit switch actuator arm 81 extends radially inwardly fromthe switch unit 78 into the path of circumferential travel of thecompacting pockets 36, 37, the arm 82 being operatively connected to alimit switch of the electrical circuit depicted in FIG. 5. Thus, in theunlikely event of an attendant's arm remaining unduly long and low inthe loading zone of the apparatus, i.e., directly opposite the column55, its impingement against the limit switch arm 82 will cause animme;iate stoppage of the drive of the equipment, through circuitprovisions illustrated in FIG. 5, and now described.

The electrical system 84 of FIG. 5 is electrically supplied with 220volt, three phase current through a ganged master switch 85appropriately fused at 86, from which the phase line conductors 87extend. Leads 88 connect from those conductors through motor starterrelay contacts 89' and suitable overload relays 90 to the terminals ofthe 2 h.p. prime mover motor 13 of the apparatus 10. A spring-set motorbrake (otherwise not shown in FIG. 5) has its release solenoid 93 wiredto two of the motor leads 88.

Positive and negative conductors 95, 96 supply the primary winding of acontrol circuit transformer 97, the secondary of which supplies acontrol circuit 98 of the equipment, including supply and return leads99, 100, and each equipped with a protective fuse 101.

Conductor 99 is connected to the terminal of a safety limit switch 102,the normally closed contactor of which is physically operated by arm 82(FIGS. 1 and 2) to open the control circuit 98 in the event that theattendant inadvertently or carelessly leaves her arm too far clockwiseof the direction of rotation of the product compacting table 26. Thesafety factor is obvious, considering the relatively slow linear rate oftravel of the table 26. A pushbutton start switch 104 of the system orcircuit 84 is adapted to be shunted through a normally open armaturecontact 89" of the motor starter relay 89 across the terminals of astart switch 104 of control circuit 98; and switch 104 isseries-connected to a pushbutton stop switch 105 and a two-positionsafe-run switch 106, all of the switches 102, 104, I05, 106 beingcomponents of the switch assembly 80 mounted in control box 79. Aterminal of switch 106 is connected through overload contacts 107 with acoil terminal of a motor starter relay 89 whose above-described contacts89' are in the circuit of drive motor 92. Relay 89 is connected at itsopposite terminal to the control circuits return conductor 100. Theoperation of the circuitry 98 of FIG. 5 will be apparent to those ofordinary electrical skill.

The operation of the machine is best depicted in FIG. 2, in reference tocertain indicia of angular travel of the compactor table unit 26 (andcorresponding angular travel of the compactor plate unit 68). Theattendant places prefrozen charges of meat (for the instanced usage)into either the steak forming pockets 36 or the filet forming pockets37, or both sets, as they emerge empty beneath the sweep-off plow 75. Atthis time the ejector heads 44 of the pockets are in a fully loweredposition, resting on the spacer shims 47. As indicated above, should theoperator accidentally or intentionally trip the limit switch arm 82 inperforming her duty, the control circuit 98 of FIG. 5 is broken and themachine motor brakes to an immediate halt.

With the clockwise travel (FIG. 2) of table unit 26 and thecorresponding movement of the compactor plate coordinated as describedabove in regard to the convergent angularity of their respective surfaceplanes and their vertical spacing relative to one another, the malecompactor members 72. 73 will commence to enter the respective compactorpockets 36, 37 as the pockets approach an apex zone or position on aradius of the table and plate through the center of the column 55. Thatradial position will, then, represent a point of maximum entry of theplunger members 72, 73 into the pockets 36, 37, for a maximumcompression of the material to form the meat products P. Consideringthis as a base point, the products become progressively less compressedas their travel continues clockwise and the compactor plungersprogressively depart from the pockets in the separating inclination ofthe compactor table and plate planes.

At a radial zone approximately 30 clockwise from the zero or base point(FIG. 2) the follower dowels 48 of the successive ejectors 45 come underthe lifting effect of the inclined arcuate cam length 49; and as theycontinue under this influence the ejectors are progressively elevatedthrough about 55 table travel to their full-up position. In this state,the plunger heads 44 are lifted from an intermediate, solid lineposition, as shown in FIG. 4, to a fully elevated position, indicated indotted line, in which the top of the head 44 is a small fraction of aninch above the surface of the inclined circular table land 31. At thiselevation, the rotatively traveling steak or filet product P comes intoengagement with the fixed sweep-off plow 75, and is diverted by itradially ofi' the compactor table 26, whence it may be forwarded by aconveyor, chute or like means, (not shown) for further disposition.

Continued travel of table 26 brings the ejector 45 of the just-emptiedpocket 36 or 37 under the influence, at its follower dowel 48, of thesecond, ejector lowering cam 50, if indeed, as is usually the case, theejector 45 has not dropped of its own weight onto its spacer shim 47,since the arcuate zone lifting portion of the elevating cam 49 has beenpassed. It happens that there is a terminal portion of elevator cam 49,of about 20 extent, at which the cam is horizontal, exerting no liftingeffect on the ejector; and the lowering action by the other cam 50, ifexerted at all, takes place after cam 49 has been passed, continuingthrough a final segment of arcuate travel of the follower dowel 48 undercam 50 amounting to about 45, leaving the ejectors 45 in fully loweredcondition and the pockets 36, 37 ready for loading in a new cycle.

Typically the steak products P will be 6 ounces each in weight and thefilet products three and one-half ounces in weight; however thesizes'and weights, as well as the number of pieces treated in eachrotative cycle, are naturally subject to wide variation. 7

The equipment is structurally very simple and inexpensively fabricated,by reason of the cogand cogwheel-type coupling of the table 26 and platethrough their compacting means. Gearing, other than for necessary speedreduction from the prime mover, is eliminated. It is of a nature such asto be readily dismantled for the indispensable frequent and thoroughscouring of its parts. The compacting force, in addition to shaping thecharges as desired, has the effect of integrating possible makeupportions with the basic frozen portion, by an effect of regelation, withthe result that the discharged product P is an entirely uniform andsubstantially homogeneous-one, pressure sealed about its side and edgesurfaces to retain meat juices, and in a condition for efficientpackaging, and transportation and maintenance in a refrigeratedenvironment.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising a pair of compactor orlike units traveling predetermined flat planar paths, one of said unitscarrying a plurality of pockets spaced from one another in the directionof travel thereof and opening in a direction normal to the planar paththereof, the other unit having operating members extending normal to theplanar path of said other unit, said members being engaged in atelescoped way in at least some of the pockets of said one unit duringthe travel as a driver in a manner such that said unit converges at anacute angle with the planar path of the other unit for said telescopedengagement of said members and pockets, the telescoped engagement of atleast some of the respective members and pockets in travel transmittingdrive effort from the driver to the other unit, said operating membersacting on material in said pockets when in telescoped relation to thelatter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said units are rotating oneshaving the respective rotative axes thereof disposed at an acuteintersecting angle, said telescoped relation of members and pocketsoccurring at the apex of an angle defined by the respective rotary pathsof the units and on the line of action of the members as telescoped inthe pockets.

3. Apparatus of the type described comprising a pair of compactor orlike units traveling predetermined flat planar paths which are at leastin part in acutely inclined and intersecting planes, one of said unitscarrying a plurality of pockets spaced from one another in the directionof travel thereof and opening in a direction normal to the planar paththereof, the other unit having operating members extending normal to theplanar path of said other unit, said members being engaged in atelescoped way in at least some of the pockets of said one unit duringthe travel thereof, said operating members acting on material in saidpockets, when in telescoped relation to the latter, without movement ofthe members or pockets relative to the respective intersecting planes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, and further comprising means to operate oneof said units as a driver, said driver operating the other unit underforce transmitted between the telescopingly engaged operating membersand pockets.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, in which said units travel rotatively, andfurther comprising means to rotate one of said units as a driver, saiddriver rotatively operating the other unit under force transmittedbetween the telescopingly engaged operating members and pockets.

6. Apparatus of the type described comprising a rotary compactor or liketable member carrying a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentiallyfrom one another and opening in a direction parallel to the rotativeaxis of said member, another rotary member having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced operating elements extending parallel to therotative axis of said other member, said members being rotatable aboutaxes intersecting at an acute angle at a point substantially in theplane of rotation of one thereof, the respective pockets and elements ofsaid members being circumferentially arranged and spaced in flat planesin a manner to be engaged in a telescoped way during the rotationthereof, means to rotate one of said units as a driver, the telescopedengagement of at least some of the respective elements and pockets inrotation transmitting drive force from the driver member to the othermember, said operating elements acting on material in said pockets whenin telescoped relation to the latter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said table member rotateshorizontally and the axis of said other member is in a downwarddirection.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said table member is formed aboutits border with an inclined land at an obtuse angle to the plane ofrotation of the table member, said pockets being formed in said land andhaving walls substantially normal thereto.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, in which said table member is formed aboutits border with an inclined land at an obtuse angle to the plane ofrotation of the table member, said pockets being formed in said land andhaving walls substan tially normal thereto. I

10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which said other rotary member is aplate also having an obtuse angled land about its border, on which landsaid operating elements are fixedly mounted to extend at substantially11. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said pockets have materialejecting elements slidably movable therein, and cam means acting on saidejecting elements during rotation of the pocket-carrying member to ejecttreated material from the pockets.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, in which said pockets have materialejecting elements slidably movable therein, and cam means acting on saidejecting elements during rotation of the pocket-carrying member to ejecttreated material from the pockets.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, in which said pockets have materialejecting elements slidably movable therein, and camv means acting onsaid ejecting elements during rotation of the pocket-carrying member toeject treated material from the pockets.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERTEFIATE 0F fifiRRECTION Patent NO. 3,Dated March 7;

xnventorm Donald W. Garnett It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In the caption at item [73] the expression "The Olofsson Corporation,Lansing, Mich has been stricken.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MGFLMTCHERJRB ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 us. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE: I969 03s5-334

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising a pair of compactor orlike units traveling predetermined flat planar paths, one of said unitscarrying a plurality of pockets spaced from one another in the directionof travel thereof and opening in a direction normal to the planar paththereof, the other unit having operating members extending normal to theplanar path of said other unit, said members being engaged in atelescoped way in at least some of the pockets of said one unit duringthe travel as a driver in a manner such that said unit converges at anacute angle with the planar path of the other unit for said telescopedengagement of said members and pockets, the telescoped engagement of atleast some of the respective members and pockets in travel transmittingdrive effort from the driver to the other unit, said operating membersacting on material in said pockets when in telescoped relation to thelatter.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said units are rotatingones having the respective rotative axes thereof disposed at an acuteintersecting angle, said telescoped relation of members and pocketsoccurring at the apex of an angle defined by the respective rotary pathsof the units and on the line of action of the members as telescoped inthe pockets.
 3. Apparatus of the type described comprising a pair ofcompactor or like units traveling predetermined flat planar paths whichare at least in part in acutely inclined and intersecting planes, one ofsaid units carrying a plurality of pockets spaced from one another inthe direction of travel thereof and opening in a direction normal to theplanar path thereof, the other unit having operating members extendingnormal to the planar path of said other unit, said members being engagedin a telescoped way in at least some of the pockets of said one unitduring the travel thereof, said operating members acting on material insaid pockets, when in telescoped relation to the latter, withoutmovement of the members or pockets relative to the respectiveintersecting planes.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, and further comprisingmeans to operate one of said units as a driver, said driver operatingthe other unit under force transmitted between the telescopingly engagedoperating members and pockets.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, in whichsaid units travel rotatively, and further comprising means to rotate oneof said units as a driver, said driver rotatively operating the otherunit under force transmitted between the telescopingly engaged operatingmembers and pockets.
 6. Apparatus of the type described comprising arotary compactor or like table member carrying a plurality of pocketsspaced circumferentially from one another and opening in a directionparallel to the rotative axis of said membeR, another rotary memberhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced operating elementsextending parallel to the rotative axis of said other member, saidmembers being rotatable about axes intersecting at an acute angle at apoint substantially in the plane of rotation of one thereof, therespective pockets and elements of said members being circumferentiallyarranged and spaced in flat planes in a manner to be engaged in atelescoped way during the rotation thereof, means to rotate one of saidunits as a driver, the telescoped engagement of at least some of therespective elements and pockets in rotation transmitting drive forcefrom the driver member to the other member, said operating elementsacting on material in said pockets when in telescoped relation to thelatter.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said table member rotateshorizontally and the axis of said other member is in a downwarddirection.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said table member isformed about its border with an inclined land at an obtuse angle to theplane of rotation of the table member, said pockets being formed in saidland and having walls substantially normal thereto.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, in which said table member is formed about its border with aninclined land at an obtuse angle to the plane of rotation of the tablemember, said pockets being formed in said land and having wallssubstantially normal thereto.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, in whichsaid other rotary member is a plate also having an obtuse angled landabout its border, on which land said operating elements are fixedlymounted to extend at substantially 90*.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, inwhich said pockets have material ejecting elements slidably movabletherein, and cam means acting on said ejecting elements during rotationof the pocket-carrying member to eject treated material from thepockets.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, in which said pockets havematerial ejecting elements slidably movable therein, and cam meansacting on said ejecting elements during rotation of the pocket-carryingmember to eject treated material from the pockets.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 10, in which said pockets have material ejecting elements slidablymovable therein, and cam means acting on said ejecting elements duringrotation of the pocket-carrying member to eject treated material fromthe pockets.